Drake Circus

Interior Fabric Sculpture

Realising an artistís vision and capturing the true essence in their work is an onerous undertaking. Yet often collaboration can yield stunning results. The Aquatic Circus installation at Drake Circus Shopping Centre in Plymouth is one such project.

Ten tensile silk fish structures are suspended in the semi-circular atrium space. These bright fairground coloured fish belong to that imaginary circus created by textile artist Jan Blake. Each fish is suspended by one point allowing it to turn slowly and interact with a neighbouring fish. We created the delicate creatures from steel, fibre-glass rods and silk organza for Jan to painstakingly paint with procion dye. The effect is breath taking. Light and movement now fill the vast atrium space, transformed by an aquatic extravaganza.